Working in rescue, the focus is so often upon the saving and healing of the animals who come into your care. For those who arrive battered and wounded from the neglect they’ve suffered, the need for recovery and tender loving care is all the more apparent. I think of horses like Baylee, left in the muck and mire of a round pen with no source of food or clean water, and the transformation that has taken place since she has come into our barn. This beautiful animal seemed to develop rapidly into a stunning young prospect horse. And yet, as we sometimes learn, the transformation that a rescued animal must undergo is more extensive than the changes that take place in just their physical appearance. Baylee still struggles with lameness issues that were brought on as part of the malnourishment she suffered during a key time of development in her young life. Her journey to complete recovery continues.
As I led my own rescue horse, Tuff, into the round pen the other day, I struggled with the twinges of guilt that I hadn’t devoted the amount of attention to him over the past couple weeks that he deserved. I counted on him making me pay for this too. I took a deep breath and attempted to focus - I needed the time with him to be positive, having just struggled through a particularly difficult week myself. He deserved nothing less than my undivided attention. Starting with basic groundwork, I encountered immediate resistance. He held his ground stubbornly. A swish or two of the tail, a pawing of his front hoof and a set expression all let me know that he wasn’t going to make it easy on me. The more time I spent, the more I became engrossed in his movements – or lack thereof – and his demeanor.
As mild frustration started to swell within me (really, I just wanted this to be a good day between us), I bit my lip hard and tried to will him to connect with me and what I was asking. Finally, something broke and released. I don’t know who experienced it first – although he gave the first outward signal with the shifting of his hind end, I felt a dead weight lift and a sense of calm and intention come over me. Suddenly his head dropped, his eyes softened, and he let out three deliberate and exaggerated yawns (in the world of natural horsemanship, this was a signal that he was processing, making new connections in his brain).
Something so simple, yet it was enough to send me over the edge – tears welled up and abruptly spilled down my cheeks. It wasn’t just relief that he finally “got it.” To me, it communicated the crumbling of a wall between us – he was letting me in and I was finally open to receive it. As I leaned forward and buried my face helplessly into his neck, he remained still and quiet, just allowing me to be. I realized in those few moments that he was not the only one in need of tender loving care. He’s been broken… and so have I. Working and learning with him has taught me so much about myself, and I sometimes wonder if I give him back a fraction of what he gives me.
The healing can truly be on both sides. We spend our time, hearts, and energy loving on these neglected, unwanted, and abused animals and so often may miss the lessons and healing they are in turn giving us. Life is not easy and we all have our battle scars–like so many of them. Taking the time to understand and walk alongside them on their journey of healing can offer lasting benefits we never may have imagined.
peoplehelpinghorses
kristinbrown
I just want to let you know I rescue horses myself, not a lot some of my friends call me and tell me about a horse and how bad it is. My fist was a rescued Blm Mustang, she was a doll. Founder in all four hoofs and very skinny. It only took a month of every day grooming and loving and good food that she began to trust me. I was able to win her over in a couple of months. She stayed with me for four years, she had the best summer, a beautiful shining coat and finally had all four frog in her hoofs. She had a great winter, lots of energy, but when spring came I saw a light go out in her eyes. I didn’t want to admit she was saying she is done. So I loaded her up to take to the vets and we tested her for cushing disease, which I excepted. I tried her meds but she was also having to take brute every day, and I ask what kind of quailty of life is this. I could read it in her eyes. So we put her down and had a good place to bury her and I feel she was happy at least the last of her four years, she was over twenty years old. But sometimes I feel she was telling me Mom you need to make more room for some other horse that may need you, and in a week or two I recieved a call about a negeleted horse. So off I went with my trailor, cause I can never turn them down. Their she was a very skinny horse that the people were still riding. They thought you should only feed your horse once a week. I looked into her eyes and she said lets go! Now I have had her for six monts plus and she is a beauty!! She is such a doll and loves to be with you all the time, so trusting. We both have learned from each other and I am ever so thankful. When I think I am having a bad day I go out and sit with my horse and watch them, they bring so much peace and joy into my life that it it always worth having them around. When you go for a ride some people don’t understand the connection you have with them. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
Just thought helping these wonderful animals is so rewarding that it is so hard to explain. You all keep caring for these wonderful animals.
Thanks so much Jeannine for sharing your story! It’s encouraging to know there are others out there who feel the same way about the value of a rescued horse. Thank you for the work you’re doing to give a rescue another chance…
Might I suggest some crystal therapy for Baylee. I have had some good successes with some of the horses at our sanctuary. Most recently, Billy, out little palimino mare, severely injured her tendon doing who knows what. She came in from the field barely able to walk. We’ve been doing crystal therapy on her for the past couple of weeks and her progress has been very rapid.
Our other rescue mare, Marty, came from an equestrian centre. They were going to put her down because she kept coming up lame during lessons and they couldn’t find what was wrong with her.Again, we did crystal therapy work on her and she has been out on the trails in the mountains with guests and not had a lame day since.
Worth considering for Baylee.